Shoe-fastening



(No Model.)

B. E. STACY.

SHOE FASTENING.

No. 479,995. Patented Aug. 2, 1892.

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EDYVARD F. ST ACY, OF WHITING, IOWVA.

SHOE-FASTENiNG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Latent No. 479,995, dated August 2, 1892.

Application filed April 15 1892,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD E. STACY, a citizen of the United States, residing at iVhiting, in the county of Monona and State of Iowa, have inventedanew and useful Self-Buttoner for Shoes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to buttoning attachments for shoes, wherein the operation is antomatic and the parts self-acting; and it consists in the construction and arrangement of the parts thereof, as will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of the invention is to provide means for conveniently buttoning a shoe by the operation of simple and effective mechanism in connection with the shoe, and which is so constructed as to conform to the movements of the ankle, the parts being strong and durable, easily applied, and readily operated.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shoe, showing the improved device applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of a shoe broken away to show the mechanism and on an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the mechanism detached. Fig. i is a modified form of construction. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of one of the plates in inverted position.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the upper of a shoe and especially that portion thereof which usually supports the buttons. On the under side of the said part of the shoe, against the inner lining, are secured two shanks or plates 2 2, which are pivotally connected to each other, as at 3, the said pivotal portion of the same being located about the ankle-line, to thereby conform to the movements of the foot and ankle and avoid stiffness and rigidity of the shoe. The plates 2 2 have arms l secured thereto, with upturned screwthreaded ends 5 to receive As many of the arms at will be used as are found necessary and desirable, and will be arranged proportionately to the length of the upper of the shoe. Two levers 7 7 are mounted in the buttonhole-flap S and pivotally connected to each other, as at 9, for the same purpose as the pivotal connec- Serial No. 429,354. (No model.)

tion of the plates 2 2, and each lever has attached thereto an operating-lever 10. The said levers 7 are fitted in pockets 11 of the buttonhole-flap 8 and through the medium of the operatingdevers 10 are adapted to draw the said flap over on the buttons or heads 6, so that the buttonholes will align therewith and engage the same. The operating-levers 10, when not in use, are adapted to be turned down under the flap 8 and to engage clasps 12, secured to the said flap 8, and clasps 13, which are connected to plates 14, exterior-1y connected over the button-flap 1 and the plates 2 thereunder. The lowermost end of the lower lever 7 is connected to a lug or eye, as at 15, and adjacent to the point where said levers 7 are connected to each other a plate 16 is secured, having an eye 17, to which the operatin -levers 10 are attached, the said plate 16 being also secured to the buttonhole-flap of the shoe, and by means of the same said flap is drawn over onto the buttons when the lever is operated. lVhen the operating-levers 10 are in disuse and turned in under the buttonhole-flap, the same are hidden from external view and are held in this position by ongagement with the clasps hereinbefore set forth.

In Fig. a different form of button-head is shown, which is secured on the arms a and materially aids in providing an automatic fas-= tenor in connection with the self-buttoning attachment.

In operation the levers 10 are released and used to draw each of the sections of the buttonhole-fiap to which they are secured over the buttons or heads 6, when the latter are then caused to engage the buttonholes of the flap and firmly secure the parts of the shoe in the same manner as an ordinary buttoned shoe. WVhen the shoe is buttoned, the said levers are then turned under the buttonholefiap to engage the clasps set forth, and all parts are thereby concealed.

This form of construction dispenses with the use of a button' hook and the tedious op eration of applying buttons to a shoe, as well as the inconvenience arising from separation of the buttons from the shoe, all of which will be readily understood and appreciated by those familiar with the art.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In a self-buttoner for shoes and the like, the combination of two plates pivotally connected to each other and extending length- Wise of the upper and carrying buttons or heads, and levers pivotally connected to a portion of said plates for operating the button-flap to draw the same over onto the said buttons or heads, substantially as described.

2. In a self-buttoner for shoes and the like, the combination of two plates, pivotally connected and carrying buttons or heads, the

same being secured to the upper, pivoted levers connected to the button-flap, operatinglevers connected to said pivoted levers, and clasps connected to said button-flap to be engaged by said operating-levers, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD E. STACY.

Witnesses:

FRED MoCAUsLAND, L. E. CHRISTIE. 

